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Certificate - VX32317 F O Bryne

Historical information

VX32317 Francis O Bryne was born in Horsham and enlisted into the AIF for service in WW2.
This Certificate has been issued by the Shire of Wimmera to recognize the service of VX32317 F O Bryne who was a resident of this Shire.

Significance

This is the original certificate that was issued to VX32317 Francis O Bryne,

Inscriptions & Markings

A presentation Certificate to VX32317 Francis O Bryne from the Shire of Wimmera.

Belt - Sam Browne

Geelong RSL Sub Branch, Belmont

Leather Belt.

Historical information

This is an original belt, however the name on the back is illegible, except for WO1.
The Sam Browne belt is named after Sam Browne who when injured devised the belt to hold a sword and the belt had two shoulder pieces when a pistol was added.

Historical information

Significance

Cornflower - Bleuet de France

Geelong RSL Sub Branch, Belmont

A Blue metal flower (cornflower) on a metal lapel pin.

Historical information

The bleuet de France is the symbol used in France to finance War Veterans, very similar the the Poppy.
The bleuet de France is available for sale on 11 November and 08 May each year.
Similar to the poppy this flower continued to grow in land devastated by shelling and military activity.

Documents - VX111423 Pte R G Fitz

Historical information

These three Books, AAB 83, AAb 87 and AAF F 204 have belonged to Pte R G Fitz. Pte Fitz is a Victorian, he enlisted on 02 August 1941, interestingly his discharge was from 153 Aust Port Craft Coy, RAE.

Significance

VX111423 Pte R G Fitz enlisted in the AIF on 02 August 1941, the books are originals that belonged to Pte Fitz.

Inscriptions & Markings

Military Documents

Geelong RSL Sub Branch, Belmont

AAB 83 Record of Service Book, AAB 87 Demobilization Procedure Book, AM Form M 7 Record of Service Book, The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book.

Historical information

There are seven (7) items here, the AAB83, AAB 87, A M Form M7, The Australian Soldiers Pocket Book, a New Testament (printed in 1916 at the Cambridge University Press), The Book of Common Prayer (Eyre & Spottiswoode), Diocese of Sydney, Forms of Prayer and Hymns, Form of Service - Church Parades of the AMF, a note book of information collected by Pte Reid.

Significance

V166315 Pte C R Reid was a Geelong man who lived in Moolap, he enlisted in the AMF on 23 March 1942. All the docume nts are original and belonged to Pte Reid.

Inscriptions & Markings

Documents - 826 Harry J Britter

Geelong RSL Sub Branch, Belmont

Paper clippings, Cablegrams, Greeting Cards

Historical information

The family of 826 Harry James Britter have collected paper clippings, cablegrams, greeting cards relating to the Service of H J Britter, who enlisted into the AIF on 12 July 1915, he was posted to 31 Battalion. In WW1 this Battalion initially went to Egypt, the Battalion consisted of two companies from Queensland and two companies from Victoria.

Significance

The documents are originals and have been preserved by the family of 8216 Harry J Britter, a Geelong man who enlisted into the AIF on 12 July 1915

Book - Echoes of ANZAC

Historical information

This book was compiled by 1557 Gnr F E Westbrook. Gnr Westbrook was posted to 4th Battery 2nd F A B, he enlisted into the AIF 16 Sep 1914.

Significance

This booklet is of War Verses and Other Poems by 1557 Gnr F E Westbrook. Gnr Westbrook Enlisted into the AIF in Bairnsdale in 1914, Victoria, he served in 4th Battery, 2nd F A B and went to Egypt, Gallipoli and France.

Inscriptions & Markings

front page - Echoes of ANZAC, by Gnr F E Westbrook , Late 2nd F A B.
Introduction by the late Gen Sir James Whitesides McCay.
Price One Shilling.

Inscriptions & Markings

Badge - Air Force Association

Geelong RSL Sub Branch, Belmont

A round shape with wings through the middle of the badge, Crown on the top of the badge, the centre is the Air Force red, white and blue. This badge has a pale blue across the bottom, Air Force Association.

Historical information

The Air Force Association was formed in Melbourne in 1919, by Mr H V Leckie. The Association was formed after Mr Leckie put an advertisement in the newspaper asking for interested former members of the Air Force Corps to meet him.

Significance

This badge with the number 97277 on the reverse has belonged to a member of the Air Force Association

Inscriptions & Markings

Memorial Plaque

Geelong RSL Sub Branch, Belmont

A Bronze Plaque,

Historical information

This Plaque was made and issued to the NOK of a service person who died during service or as a result of service.
The concept of this plaque was began in 1917.
There may have been over 1 million plaques made.

Significance

This Memorial Plaque has a 'W' on the reverse of the plaque which indicates it could have been made at Woolwich.
There is no name in the rectangle provided.

Significance

Inscriptions & Markings

Badge - RSL Life Membership

Geelong RSL Sub Branch, Belmont

Badge, white background, blue centre with four figures in gold colour in the centre. Returned and Services League around the blue, Australia in the red ribbon,m Life Member in the attachment at the bottom of the badge.

Historical information

These badges are issued to members who pay for life membership or those who have been appointed honorary life members.

Inscriptions & Markings

Badge - R&SLA

Metal gold coloured badge, white background, blue circle with four figures in a coloured gold centre of the circle. A red ribbon like across the bottom .

Historical information

This badge is issued to personnel who have served during periods of peacetime and personnel who had not served overseas.

Significance

This is the last time the Badge has been changed (1990) - a fourth figure has been added to the figures in the centre of the badge, and the name changed to Returned and Services League Australia.
The fourth figure, female, recognises our female service personnel.

Inscriptions & Markings

Front - in the blue circle Returned & Services League, in the red ribbon on the bottom of the badge Australia. Covering the crown the year badge 03.
Back - Badge Remains Property of League, V26132.